A New Yorker based in London, Lucy, who documents her travels on social media as @lostwithlucy, embarked on a road trip across the Cotswolds with companions, visiting six of the 98 towns and villages in the region. She offered her "unsolicited opinions" on each location, revealing two destinations that failed to win her over.
Bourton-on-the-Water: A Bustling Highlight
Lucy's first stop was Bourton-on-the-Water, which she called "the number one Cotswolds town" due to its lively character. However, she cautioned that the substantial influx of visitors could deter those seeking peace and quiet. "There were lots of pubs and restaurants and cafes along the little river that runs through the town and an ice cream man who is very good at his job," she joked, noting she had never encountered such a concentration of ducks anywhere before.
Stow-on-the-Wold and Broadway
Next was Stow-on-the-Wold, another crowded spot filled with "pubs and shops." The group stopped at a cheesemonger and commended a "really nice bookstore called Borozi bookshop." They then moved on to Broadway, a "town that is just one long main street." While there are "some pubs and restaurants here," Lucy suggested a stop at Broadway Deli, celebrated for its "lot of interesting grocery items for sale."
Chipping Campden: The Favorite
Chipping Campden was the subsequent stop, which Lucy characterised as "the first of the villages that actually seemed like people lived here." She described it as her "favourite," despite it being "super quiet." She lauded it for being "very pretty and peaceful," suggesting that if one "can find the time, you can go for a walk in a field."
Disappointment at Upper and Lower Slaughter
However, Lucy voiced dissatisfaction with the final two destinations on her itinerary. She explained: "Our final stops were supposed to be Upper and Lower Slaughter, but despite being really, really pretty, they were tiny with no parking, so we could not stop." This left her slightly disappointed, as the lack of parking prevented her from exploring them properly.
Using Cheltenham as a Base
In the caption accompanying her video, Lucy noted they "used Cheltenham" as their "home base" while exploring the Cotswolds. This proved to be an ideal arrangement, given that Cheltenham is merely an 18-minute drive from parts of the Cotswolds. Bourton-on-the-Water, however, sits around a 30-minute drive away, which she considered perfectly acceptable for a day trip.
